Elevator Emergency Procedures PDF

Elevator Emergency Standard Operating Guidelines (Person Stuck in Elevator) PURPOSE There are thousands of elevator emergencies in the United States every year, many of them resulting in injuries. Serious injuries to occupants such as being struck by a closing elevator door or falling down an elevat...

Elevator Emergency Standard Operating Guidelines (Person Stuck in Elevator) PURPOSE There are thousands of elevator emergencies in the United States every year, many of them resulting in injuries. Serious injuries to occupants such as being struck by a closing elevator door or falling down an elevator shaft while trying to exit a stalled elevator car can be prevented. Fire Rescue personnel trained in elevator rescue can greatly reduce the occurrence of these types of injuries The procedures contained in this guideline are taken from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers publication A17.4-1999. Hyperlink: ASME Elevator Emergencies A17.4-1999 THREE PRINCIPAL CAUSES FOR FAILURE OF AN ELEVATOR TO OPERATE ARE: 1. ELECTRICAL POWER FAILURE: This type of incident may be spread over a wide area involving a large section of the City. If this has occurred, arrange to have the Power Company contacted for information as to how long the interruption will last. If this electric service shut down will be for a long period of time, the Fire Department may have to prepare to remove the passengers from the stalled elevator car or cars. 2. FAILURE OF THE CONTROL CIRCUIT: If the failure is due to a blown fuse on a circuit, a building maintenance man can be sent to replace the fuse. It will probably be quicker and easier to replace the fuse and restore the elevator to service than to attempt removal of the passengers. 3. SHAFTWAY OBSTRUCTION: If an obstruction in the hoistway (or shaftway) is of such a nature that it would prevent the movement of the car; the car SHOULD NOT BE MOVED except by an elevator service man. If such an obstruction in the hoistway is the prime cause of the elevator stopping, it would be possible for one or both of the other causes to result almost simultaneously. A safe rule to follow is to get to the penthouse of the elevator machine room and pull the elevator main electric switch (thereby preventing accidental operation of the stalled elevator) until the cause of the shutdown has been determined. Leave this switch pulled during any emergency removal of passengers from the car. Keep a fire fighter posted at the switch and power should not be turned back on without direct orders from the Fire Officer in Charge (Incident Commander). EMERGENCY DOOR RELEASE DEVICES: Consists of two (2) parts: 1. The Emergency Hoistway Door Key is designed in various shapes and styles. It may be round, crescent shaped, "T" shaped and of different lengths. 2. The door release device is operated by inserting the Emergency Hoistway Door Key through a small opening in the hoistway door and either pushing or turning the key. Best results can be obtained by practice during building inspections. Most elevator doors must be forced (pried or slid sideways) while operating the release device with the Emergency Hoistway Door Key. Where a building has only one elevator in a hoistway, an emergency release device is required on every door opening into the hoistway. If a building has two elevators in one hoistway, emergency door release devices and keys should be found at the ground floor level and also at the top floor level. 1 The Emergency Hoistway Door Key used to operate the emergency release device of all doors so equipped and is usually kept inside a glass receptacle marked "Fire Department and Emergency Only" and is located adjacent to the hoistway door or doors, or building maintenance office. ALL ELEVATOR EMERGENCIES SHOULD BE HANDLED BY ELEVATOR SERVICE CREWS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. In all cases where Fire Department units are called to a building to remove passengers, the following procedure should be followed immediately upon arrival at the scene: 1. Locate the elevator control switches and shut off the electrical service until the extent of the emergency can be determined. 2. Notify the Alarm Office and/or F.C.I.O. as to ''make of elevator" and what elevator maintenance company has the contract to service the elevator. This information should be available from the building manager or maintenance engineer. Notification at this time should also be made to the Mechanical Division Chief Inspector. 3. Determine in which hoistway or shaft the car or cars are stalled. Also, determine at which floor level the stalled car(s) are located. 4. Attempt to reassure elevator passengers that steps are being taken to release them as quickly as possible. 5. Determine if the power failure is outside of the building and if so, ask the Alarm Office and/or F.C.I.O. to find out when the power will be restored. 6. If the elevator is stalled at a normal floor landing, Emergency Hoistway Door Keys may be used to open the hoistway door. 7. IF THE ELEVATOR IS STALLED BETWEEN FLOORS, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE PASSENGERS (EXCEPT UNDER EXTREME CONDITION'S) UNTIL ELEVATOR SERVICE COMPANY IS ON THE SCENE. 8. If any person has been caught in the elevator machinery or between car and hoistway enclosure, DO NOT MOVE THE CAR until a careful examination has been made as to whether the car can be safely moved. If the car can be moved, it should be done by an experienced elevator service man under the supervision of the Fire Officer in Charge (Incident Commander). 9. When a hoistway door is opened by use of an Emergency Hoistway Door Key, do not leave the opening unattended. Post a Fire Fighter to prevent anyone from falling into the hoistway. 10. If the Emergency Hoistway Door Keys are not available, a screwdriver or similar tool can sometimes be used to open hoistway doors. Generally, the emergency release device is about eye level, near the leading edge of one of the doors, and is a round, crescent or "T" keyway. 11. It is extremely important that good judgment be used in such emergencies for sometimes the pressure to "do something" is felt from the presence of spectators. 12. When placing a Hazard Warning Tag on the elevator machinery the name of the servicing company will be written on all portions of the Hazard Warning Tag. If the elevator emergency occurs where there are two or more elevators adjacent to each other then the serial number for the affected elevator will also be written on all portions of the Hazard Warning Tag. The serial number for every elevator is found on the semi-annual certification form located in the elevator car. 2 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS Hoistway – commonly termed the elevator shaft Interlock (Door Restrictor) – locking mechanism that prevents the elevator doors from opening when the elevator car is not positioned at the elevator landing (> than 3” above or below the landing) Mainline Disconnect Switch – controls electric supply to an elevator car. Switch is usually found in the elevator machine room. Manual elevator standby power selection switch – switch that will enable elevator to operate on power supplied from an in house power generator Elevator Emergency Hoistway Door Key- Designed in various shapes and styles. It may be round, crescent shaped, "T" shaped and of different lengths. They are used to open the hoistway door which is sometimes called the hallway door. Firefighter’s Service Elevator Key – Usually found in a lock box on the first floor. It is used to operate the Firefighter controls of the elevator cars. PROCEDURE Prior to attempting any rescue, it is imperative that the rescue team has the proper tools and equipment ready for use. Tools required:          Folding attic ladder 6 foot pike pole or broom stick Elevator release keys (elevator door key) Portable radios Flashlights Safety harnesses Lifeline Flat head Axe Halligan tool GENERAL EVACUATION PROCEDURES Make voice contact with the occupants of the elevator car and inform them  They are safe and not to attempt to exit, or climb out of the elevator  Steps are being taken to evacuate them from the elevator car  Stand clear of doors since they may be opened  They should refrain from smoking Obtain the following information  The number of persons in the elevator car  Are any of the occupants in the elevator car ill or injured  Are the lights on in the elevator car  The location of the elevator car in the hoistway, if known 3 Attempt to make contact with the building representative/maintenance and servicing elevator company via Fire Central (FCIO). Occupants of the elevator car should continually be kept informed and reassured of their safety. INITIAL RESCUE PROCEDURES THESE PROCEDURES MAY RECALL THE STALLED ELEVATOR CAR TO THE MAIN FLOOR. ALL DOORS CLOSED, POWER TO THE BUILDING IS ON 1. Determine that the mainline disconnect switch is in the “ON” position 2. Attempt to confirm that the emergency stop switch in the elevator car is in the “RUN” position (difficult, to confirm) 3. Using the firefighter service elevator key, turn the emergency recall switch located in the main floor elevator lobby to the “ON” position. ALL DOORS CLOSED AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOSS OF POWER TO THE BUILDING 1. Using the firefighter service elevator key, turn the emergency recall switch located in the main floor elevator lobby to the “ON” position. 2. Locate the manual elevator standby power selection switch, if provided, to bring the elevator cars to the main floor, one by one. If these methods do not work, determine the position of the elevator car and continue with the rescue procedure that is appropriate (see Secondary Rescue Procedures) SECONDARY RESCUE PROCEDURES ALWAYS SET THE ELEVATOR MAINLINE DISCONNECT SWITCH TO THE “OFF” POSITION, AND ENSURE A CREW MEMBER STANDS GUARD TO PREVENT THE SYSTEM FROM BEING REENERGIZED BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES DETERMINE THE POSITION OF THE ELEVATOR CAR    Car at or near the elevator landing Car within 3 ft. of the elevator landing Car more than 3 ft. from the elevator landing CAR AT OR NEAR THE ELEVATOR LANDING 1. Set the mainline disconnect switch for the stalled elevator to the “OFF” position and ensure a crew member stands guard to prevent the system from being reenergized. 4 2. Open the Hoistway doors by hand using the Emergency Hoistway Door Key if so equipped. Attempt to open the car doors. If the car is more than 3” away from the landing the car door restrictor will need to be disengaged. This mechanism will be either mechanical, electromagnetic or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The latter two use electricity to activate a locking plunger. They can be easily moved by hand because the power is off. The mechanism is usually mounted above the car doors on the left or right side. If the mechanism cannot be reached when the outside doors are opened it will be necessary to reach it from the floor above by climbing down to the top of the car after the mainline disconnect switch has been locked out and is guarded. Electromagnetic Door Restrictor Mechanical Door Restrictor Hyperlink: Electromagnetic Door Restrictor (top view) A solenoid/plunger assembly on top of the car blocks one of the door hanger rollers. The photo -eyes sense when the car reaches a safe landing zone. Inside such a zone the photo-eyes send a signal to the solenoid and the solenoid lifts the plunger allowing free door travel. Mechanical Door Restrictors 5 (RFID) Reader Hyperlink: Magna-latch & Lock Block Electro-Sensor Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) 3. If the mainline disconnect switch cannot be turned “OFF” enter the elevator car and set the emergency stop switch to the “STOP” position, if the car is so equipped. (Only as a last resort). 4. Assist passengers in leaving the elevator car, one at a time. If the car is not level with the landing, make sure that the passengers do not trip or fall while leaving the car. 5. At the conclusion of the scene operations a Hazard-Tag shall be affixed on the mainline disconnect switch and it will be left in the “OFF” position. CAR WITHIN 3 FT. OF THE ELEVATOR LANDING 1. Set the mainline disconnect switch for the stalled elevator to the “OFF” position and ensure a crew member stands guard or lock out / tag out this switch. 2. Unlock the hoistway door locking device, at the floor nearest to the stalled elevator car by using the Elevator Emergency Hoistway Door Key. NOTE: NOT ALL HOISTWAY DOORS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A HOISTWAY DOOR LOCK RELEASE a. When a hoistway door unlocking device is not provided, or the doors cannot be opened from within the elevator car by the passengers, and an adjacent car is operable, use the following procedure. i. Take the adjacent elevator car to the floor closest to the stalled car and open its door. 6 ii. Set the mainline disconnect switches for both the stalled elevator and the rescue elevator in the “OFF” position, Lock out / tag out both elevators. iii. Place the emergency stop switch in the “STOP” position in the rescue elevator car. iv. By extending a pole through the opening between the car and the hoistway doors of the rescue elevator car, it may be possible to disengage the interlock of the stalled elevator ca so that its doors can be opened by hand. b. When forcible entry tools need to be employed, they should be used at the top of the door where the interlock is located to minimize damage to the door equipment. 3. A member of the rescue party should enter the stalled elevator car and place the emergency stop switch in the “STOP” position. (Only as a last resort and not necessary if mainline disconnect is off ) 4. The passengers should then be assisted from the stalled elevator car, one at a time, by rescue personnel located both in the car and on the landing. (Only as a last resort). 5. At the conclusion of the scene operations a Hazard-Tag shall be affixed on the mainline disconnect switch and it should be left in the “OFF” position. NOTE: PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO GUARD AND LIMIT ANY HOISTWAY HALL DOOR OPENING TO THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY BELOW THE ELEVATOR CAR FLOOR WHEN THE CAR IS ABOVE THE LANDING. CAR 3 FT. OR MORE FROM THE LANDING When the car is stalled so that the car floor is more than 3 ft. above the landing, it is inadvisable to remove the passengers through the normal elevator door opening. The excessive distance between the car floor and the landing creates the possibility that a passenger may fall into the hoistway. In addition, passengers should not be removed through the door opening when the elevator car is more than 3 ft. below the landing. The reduced opening clearance makes exiting too difficult. The recommended methods for removing the passengers under these conditions are removal through the top emergency exit. REMOVAL OF OCCUPANTS THROUGH THE TOP EMERGENCY EXIT Caution, do not use the top emergency exit on an elevator in an unenclosed hoistway. If exiting through the elevator door is not possible, have experienced elevator personnel move the elevator car to a landing. 1. Set the mainline disconnect switch for the stalled elevator to the “OFF” position, and Lock out / tag out this switch. At the hoistway door of the nearest landing above the stalled elevator car top, unlock the hoistway door locking device using the Elevator Emergency Hoistway Door Key. 2. A ladder with nonskid feet should be lowered to the elevator car top and securely positioned on the elevator car top. The ladder should extend at least 3 ft. above the landing. 3. One member of the rescue team, wearing a safety harness and properly tied off to a lifeline, should descend to the top of the stalled elevator car. 7 4. Lower a second ladder (attic ladder) through the top emergency exit and position it between the elevator car floor and car top. The ladder should extend at least 3 ft. above the car top. 5. A second rescue team member, also wearing a safety belt and properly tied off to a secured lifeline, should then descend to the car top. The team member should carry an additional safety belt for use in rescuing the passengers. 6. One team member should then enter the stalled elevator car through the top emergency exit. The other rescue team member should remain on the top of the stalled elevator car. A third member should be at the landing used to gain access to the hoistway. 7. Set the emergency stop switch to the “STOP” position, if the car is so equipped 8. The passengers should then be assisted, one at a time, from within the elevator car to the car top, then to the landing above with the use of the safety belts secured to lifelines. 10. At the conclusion of the scene operations a Hazard-Tag shall be affixed on the mainline disconnect switch and it should be left in the “OFF” position. PROCEDURES FOR ELEVATOR EMERGENCY SERVICE KEY BOXES Emergency service key boxes are being installed in new buildings in Dade County, meeting Chapter 61 of the South Florida Building Code, and may eventually be installed in existing buildings. These boxes, which are typically installed on the first floor by the elevator banks no further than 15ft from the doors and placed approximately six feet high, will contain Firefighter Service Keys only and will be located near the elevator banks that have Firefighter Service. All companies will be provided with a key to these boxes. This key (to key box) will be attached to a permanently fixed screw eyelet mounted on the cab or under the dashboard of the apparatus. See attached diagram for proper procedures when these keys are used. In addition, a notation shall be made in the narrative of the company participation report that keys were used and returned to their proper place. This is necessary to assure that keys will be available for future use. 8 9